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Originally Posted by Steve Bagu
Not being close to Auto mfg plants, I wonder how many UAW auto assembly workers BUY the product they make on the assembly line. Are the employee parking lots full of their production line or maybe those of other makes/or foreign imports?. Just wondering if they buy to help their own paycheck and have a steady job. Steve
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You raise a very valid point.
I worked for the Fisher Body Division many, many years ago and even back then workers were switching to foreign or other domestic brands other than GM. And, today's American car buyer needs to support American builders or the entire economy will be out-sourced to Japan and China.
But, the biggest bugaboo for GM is the Union payouts. UAW workers are some of the highest paid workers in the world. That union was formed in the early part of the last century to combat working conditions. In my view the UAW has outlived it's usefullness and is the single most crippling force affecting the American Car Makers.
A recent example of this problem is happening in Vallejo, CA right now. The city wants to file for bankruptcy so they won't have to pay outlandish employee pensions. And, they just might be allowed to do it!
GM has the same problem with UAW retirees and their benefit plans. The company is being eaten alive from the inside.
Higher gas mileage is only a short term fix. Ethanol is not the answer. "Green' cars are not the answer either. Shoot, we had 'electric' cars back in 1910! The technology hasn't improved very much.
Until the American driver is willing to give up his 'ride' and take the bus or the train, we're going to continue to need cars from Detroit.
Buy American!